Bally's Atlantic City Hotel and Casino

Bally’s Corp. officially completed its $25 million purchase of Bally’s Atlantic City Hotel and Casino on Wednesday, Nov. 18. The company acquired the 1,251-room hotel-casino from Caesars Entertainment Inc. and VICI Properties, with Caesars collecting 25 percent of the proceeds, and the real estate investment trust earning 75 percent. In October, the then-Twin River Worldwide Holdings Inc. paid Caesars $20 million for control of the Bally’s name, brand and intellectual property. The corporate name change took effect on Nov. 9. The company operates 14 casinos in 10 states, with many of the casinos rebranded as Bally’s properties. As for Bally’s Atlantic City, FanDuel now operates a temporary sportsbook inside the property, including three sports betting and five iGaming skins in New Jersey. Bally’s has entered into partnerships with Esports Entertainment Group and Sporttrade Inc. for sports betting skins, and PointsBet and theScore for iGaming skins. Bally’s also will reserve skins for its own use.

.

Bally's Atlantic City Hotel and Casino

Updated: 2/15/21

(click any image to enlarge)

Fees and Taxes - Bally's adds a $32.21 (which includes a 14 percent state tax) per day resort fee to all room rates, whether for a paid or complimentary stay. The resort fee includes standard Internet access for up to two devices per room, unlimited local phone calls and a $5 voucher toward parking. Seven Stars and Diamond cardholders are exempt from the fee and get all the benefits. In addition, Seven Stars cardholders get one complimentary in-room movie every 24 hours. In addition, some guests are responsible for from $5 to $8 in additional taxes and fees, and sales and occupancy taxes are additional on all paid rooms.

Parking - Self-parking in an adjacent garage is complimentary for Platinum, Diamond and Seven Stars cardholders, and complimentary valet parking is available for Diamond and Seven Stars cardholders. Note that there are separate valet parking entrances for the casino and the hotel. They are close enough, however, that if you make a mistake, it's not that far. Also, depending on the season, the casino valet may be closed. Seven Stars cardholders get priority service, usually "guaranteed" at seven minutes or less.

Pool - Bally's has an indoor pool with whirlpools, a fitness center, and volleyball, racquetball and basketball courts (which can be rented by the hour), but no spa or salon. (The nearest spa is at Qua, next door at Caesars; the nearest salon is also next door at Caesars.) Seven Stars cardholders (and a guest) have complimentary access to the pool. Others pay a nominal fee which varies by day of week, tier level, etc. Bally's also offers sports and aquatics memberships.

Hotel guestrooms

Floors 36 to 44 in the main tower have been completely renovated and are called Jubilee Rooms.

In Bally's main lobby there is a special VIP check-in to the left of the front desk. It's open Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. However, hours are subject to change seasonally.

Hotel overview

Bally's Atlantic City Hotel and Casino is an amalgam of three different hotels. The oldest portion, the Dennis Hotel, was the original hotel when Bally's first opened as Bally's Park Place. In addition, there is a 750-room Bally's Tower and a smaller "Garden Tower". The Claridge, which used to be part of the complex, has been sold and has opened as a separate stand-alone hotel. However, it is connected to Bally's main lobby by a walkway lined with a "Taste of the Shore" (Sack O' Subs and Walt's Primo Pizza).

Bally’s Atlantic City will introduce a new rewards program beginning at 8 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, according to Assistant General Manager Michael Monty. “The new program will provide greater rewards for Bally’s loyal players and guests, enhancing their overall gaming experience, while maintaining players’ current tier status.” Bally’s is no longer affiliated with Caesars Rewards. Caesars Entertainment Inc. sold the casino and hotel to Twin River Worldwide Holdings – now Bally’s Corp. – and the deal was finalized in November. To perform the necessary technology updates, Bally's will temporarily close for 38 hours beginning at 10 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16. Even though it will affect only the casino floor and not the associated hotel, many with reservations over those dates are being moved next door to Caesars. "The shutdown will accommodate a complete IT overhaul to modernize all electronic gaming devices and systems,” according to Leland Moore, a spokesman for the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office.

■ The AC Jokes Comedy Club has set-up shop in Bally's Blue Martini. Shows are at 9 p.m. For more information, call 888-477-8262.

■ There is a $5.99 per transaction fee to use the ATMs.

■ You can order from Dunkin' Donuts through "In-Room Dining" (Room Service) between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Floor Plans

(click to enlarge)

■ The direct number to Bally's is 609-340-2000.

Inside Information

NOTE: All shows, events and deadlines are subject to postponement or cancellation due to temporary casino closings and/or safety and health measures implemented by the state.

■ For those not familiar with Atlantic City, Bally's and Caesars are next to each other. You can walk between them without even going outdoors.

Other rooms in the tower, while providing spectacular views of the ocean – should you be lucky enough to get an ocean view – have had some "soft goods" (linens, lighting fixtures) upgrades, but are woefully in need of renovations. Many of the rooms have such thick layers of built-up dust in their nooks and crannies that it would be impossible to clean, and the extensive array of brass fixtures are sadly in need of polishing and cleaning. If you must stay in the tower, try to get one of the Jubilee Rooms, or, at a minimum, one of the yet-to-be-renovated corner rooms with bathrooms larger than in the other guestrooms.

Bally's also renovated its Garden Tower. While many of the rooms on lower floors look into a nondescript "courtyard," the rooms are tastefully decorated and a vast improvement over the other larger tower. Unfortunately, perhaps due to careless guests and employees, the hallways are marred by damaged wallpaper, scuffed white paint and improperly secured wall sconces. They also could use a good vacuuming! Housekeeping inside the rooms needs to be improved too.

Rooms at the Dennis were renovated and updated to include such amenities as flat screen TVs.

Rooms in all three locations offer small refrigerators and coffeemakers.

Casino Overview Atlantic City law requires all casinos to designate at least 75 percent of gaming space as "non-smoking." As with the hotels that comprise Bally's, there are three distinct casino "experiences":

Bally's casino, with its "generous" use of glass and chrome, is an icon to the 70s when it was built. In 2014 it went through an extensive $6.5 million renovation. In addition to a full complement of slots and video poker, the casino has table games, as well as separate high limit and Asian gaming areas.

FanDuel Sportsbook

Until the governor changes his mandate, Bally's must operate at 35 percent capacity: Capacity of Bally's gaming floor: 7,855 | Capacity at 35%: 2,749.

Bally’s Corp. and FanDuel Group have opened a temporary FanDuel Sportsbook at Bally’s. The sportsbook, located on the main casino floor at the base of the escalators leading up to the sixth floor dining level, features six live odds boards, 10 self-service betting kiosks, and three betting windows with attendants available to assist customers with the sports betting process. It allows bets on all major U.S. sports, including professional baseball, soccer, football, basketball, golf, boxing, motorsports racing, and more. Design and construction are currently underway on the permanent FanDuel Sportsbook location, which Bally’s expects to open in the spring. The facility will span 4,100 sq. ft. and consist of 34 self-service betting kiosks, and five attended live wagering windows. It also will feature a luxury 80-seat lounge with 30 reclining club chairs, oversized LED video walls, and a food and beverage menu including self-service craft beer. The sportsbook is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for self-service kiosks. Attendants are available at live wagering stations from noon to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

Dining - There is a restaurant adjacent to the Asian gaming area, Noodle Village. For other dining options check out Guy Fieri's Chophouse, left, and Buca Di Beppo, below. Be sure to try the Spaghetti Bolognese. You won't find it at any other Buca in the world because it's the creation of Chef Maurizio DiMarco, previously chef at Arturo's, Bally's former "gourmet" Italian restaurant that's now closed.

Harry's Oyster Bar is open on the Boardwalk level and there’s also a small "Taste of the Shore" (Walt's Primo Pizza and Sack O' Subs), as well as Johnny Rockets.

Dunkin' Donuts in the lobby is open 24 hours. Lines can get long – especially in the mornings.

Your other choices for breakfast are Buca Di Beppo, Sack O' Subs and Johnny Rockets.

Lunch is available at Noodle Village, Harry's Oyster Bar, and Johnny Rockets. Hours vary depending on the day of the week, so check their websites.

Bally's Beach Bar

Open only from Memorial Day Weekend and into the early fall, Bally's Beach Bar is a popular spot for cocktails and entertainment.

Caesars Rewards Center

The Caesars Rewards Center is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 10 a.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

Special Seven Stars benefits*

While there is a 10 percent check-cashing fee, Seven Stars cardholders get the fee back in the form of free play. In other words, if you want $1,000, your checking account will be debited $1,100, but you’ll get $1,000 in cash and $100 in free play.

There is no Seven Stars Lounge, but the large Laurel Lounge (former Diamond Lounge) on the sixth floor overlooks the Atlantic Ocean.

If there are others waiting to get in, simply walk in the lounge and present your card to the host. At extremely busy times when there is often a long line – especially when the lounge first opens, a security guard, host or other employee may be stationed at the door monitoring "traffic". Again, simply show your card to him/her, and you will receive immediate entry.

There is a huge bar which seats nearly approximately 50 people. Bartender Sandy (her nametag says Sandra) works hard to keep up with orders from the servers and those sitting at the bar. After 5 p.m.a full buffet offers an assortment of cold cuts, salads, soup, desserts and at least three, if not more, hot entrees. Drinks may be taken out of the lounge, but only after being decanted into plastic cups available at the door.

Hours (subject to change):

Seven Stars Lounge

Sundays: 2 to 7:30 p.m.

Monday through Thursday: Closed

Fridays: 2 to 9:00 p.m.

Saturdays: Noon to 9:00 p.m.

NOTE: A lighter lunch buffet is served until 4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday and more substantial fare is served from 5 p.m.

Due to special events and holidays, the Laurel Lounge may close or alter its hours some days.

NOTE: There is a 10 comp dollar (1,000 Reward Credits) per person admission charge for Diamond cardholders, but admission is complimentary for Diamond Plus, Diamond Elite and Seven Stars cardholders.

There are many direct and connecting flights into Atlantic City's local airport (15 minutes from the Boardwalk), but many guests fly into Philadelphia International Airport and either rent a car or arrange limousine service. One advantage to having a car is the ability to make a day trip to charming Cape May, or many of the other nearby Jersey Shore attractions. While round-trip airport transportation to your destination property is included as part of your Seven Stars trip, Caesars will not credit you the cost of this toward your rental car. Another option would be to take a limo from the airport, then rent a car in Atlantic City for a day or two, returning the car before your departure. Other than a Hertz outlet at Harrah's Resort, rental cars are available only at the Atlantic City airport.

Getting to the casino from the airport

If Bally's does not provide transportation, in addition to taxis, which run about $35, the Atlantic City Jitney Association offers one-way transportation from the airport to any casino or hotel in the tourist district for $10 per person. The return trip is $10, also per person. There also are a number of private car and limousine services.

*subject to change, revision or cancellation

Gambling problem? Seven Stars Insider® promotes responsible gambling.

Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Neither Seven Stars Insider nor http://www.sevenstarsinsider.com is affiliated in any way with Caesars Holding, Caesars Entertainment Inc., Caesars License Company, LLC, Caesars Enterprise Services, LLC ("Caesars Entertainment") or Caesars Rewards®.